Rio in race to be fit for final
MANCHESTER UNITED defender Rio Ferdinand’s dream of making Champions League history hinges on this weekend’s trip to Hull City.
Ferdinand could become the first player to captain a team to glory in the European final two years in a row – if he proves he is over a calf injury.
And United manager Sir Alex Ferguson insists the only way he can convince he is ready to face Barcelona on Wednesday after a three-week absence is to play against Hull.
“I am hoping he will be fit for Sunday, if not he is doubtful for Wednesday that is for sure. I think he needs a game going into the Champions League final because him having not played for three weeks is too much,” said Ferguson.
“The plan is for him to start training with us today and once we get football training we will have a better idea of his availability for Sunday. I think he is probably fit to play Wednesday, but whether I would start him without a game is another matter.”
Ferdinand lifted the trophy as skipper last year in Moscow after United beat Chelsea on sudden-death penalties and, with club captain Gary Neville set to miss out again through injury, will lead the team in Rome, fitness permitting.
But should he fail to return to peak condition in time to partner Nemanja Vidic at centre-back, Ferguson says he would have no qualms about handing youngster Jonny Evans the task of nullifying Barca’s prolific strikeforce.
“He has had a fantastic season,” Ferguson said of Evans. “It would be a fitting tribute to our academy if both he and former United and current Barca Gerard Pique are playing. I wouldn’t be bothered one bit about Evans playing in the final.”